Nassau Officers Use Stun Gun, Pepper Spray To Subdue Suspect: PD

EAST MEADOW, NY — During an arrest early Friday morning, Nassau County police officers used a stun gun and pepper spray in order to subdue a man they say may have been trying to steal from a car.

According to police, officers responded to a call to Starbucks, at 2148 Hempstead Turnpike in East Meadow, at 4:30 a.m. for a suspicious person looking at cars. When the officers arrived, police say they saw Gregory Hooks, 29, of 114th Road, Cambria Heights, getting out of white Jeep that had an alarm going off.

As the officers approached, police say Hooks threatened them and refused to show them his hands. Hooks refused to comply with the officers' commands, police said, and became aggressive.

Police say the officers used an electronic stun gun and pepper spray in order to subdue Hooks. After a brief struggle, he was placed under arrest.

Hooks and three officers were taken to a nearby hospital to be treated for injuries.

Hooks is charged with two counts of second-degree assault, resisting arrest, second-degree obstructing governmental administration and attempted petty larceny. He is scheduled to be arraigned on Saturday.